Varicella-induced remission of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in a child.

We report a Syrian boy aged three years and four months, a known case of the nephrotic syndrome (NS) diagnosed 18 months earlier. In view of non-response to steroid therapy administered according to the ISKDC regimen, a kidney biopsy was performed which showed features compatible with minimal change disease. While on alternate-day steroid therapy, he developed a typical rash of very severe varicella. Steroid therapy was stopped and intravenous acyclovir was administered for five days, followed by oral acyclovir. The child made a full recovery from chickenpox which was associated, in addition, with a complete remission of the NS. His remission has been sustained after a follow-up of six months. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge and following an extended search, this case is the probably first ever published about varicella-induced remission of steroid-non responsive NS.